Day 4.

Assigned Workout: None. "Rest day."

Wednesdays are my days off from work and I'll be darned if I'm going to rest!

So I got some household chores done, then packed up my road bike and took "him" down to the beach with me. I had told a friend I'd meet him down at the Bay (as in the Chesapeake) for an open water swim. All of my friends are doing ironman races this fall. I was registered for one too and should be training alongside them. But, I have deferred my registrations this year. Next year will be my year. In the meantime, I will keep my base, train up for Boston, and be ready to kick it into high gear next year as a triathlete.

I got down there a little early… shopped for some new open water goggles and Bonk Breaker bars, then hopped on my road bike for an hour solo spin before the swim.

My legs were complete toast. The strength exercises and intense spin intervals... which included squats, jumps, and various other meat shredding moves... completely fried my thighs. Every pedal stroke burned and my pace sucked.

But it's okay. I made it onto the bike today. Happy with that.

My first brief stop at mile 8: The "Narrows"

Second brief stop: Atop Great Neck Bridge

It was only 17 miles or so, but just enough.

Then it was onto the Bay.

Open water swims always get my heart pounding when I see waves and swells. It was choppy out there, no doubt. But I went in.

My view before I went in the water. I know it doesn't look like much. But it was rough!

Here's the weird thing about open water swimming: so I'm a bit frightened and freaked out about the possibilities of disaster: getting stung/bitten/chomped/struck by wildlife or boats or debris, getting overtaken by a rip current or mega wave, or getting lost from disorientation and meeting my watery grave in the depths of Davy Jones locker.

But at the end of it… even after swallowing a bit of salty water from swells slamming into my face, and getting a bit off course and having to figure out that shore is actually in the OPPOSITE direction… I come out of the water unfazed.

I never work hard enough to get myself exhausted. I always swim "comfy." Hmmmmmm.

Night-time sunset yoga on the paddle board:

Kind of got lost on the way back to shore in the dark. Mosquitoes attacked. 

#YOLO